Reviewing international conditions in 2005, the worldwide spread of international terrorism has manifested itself, as seen in the simultaneous multiple terrorist attacks that occurred in England for the first time committed by Islamic extremists in London in addition to the large-scale terrorist attacks in Bali, Indonesia, and Jordan. Since all the perpetrators of the London bombings who died in the explosions were Muslim youth of British nationality, this has shown that Muslim extremist ideas have infiltrated into Muslim communities in Western states.
Regarding the proliferation of the weapons of mass destruction, an issue that attracts attention in connection with anti-terrorist measures, the international community continued its effort in resolving the nuclear issues of North Korea and Iran, but solutions have not been found.
Regarding Japan's neighboring countries, Six-Party Talks on North Korean nuclear development resumed, and the first Joint Statement was adopted, which sought "North Korea's abandonment of nuclear arms" and "the guarantee on North Korea's security.” Soon after, however, North Korea clarified its intention to postpone its nuclear abandonment by insisting that "abandonment of the nuclear program will come only after a light-water reactor is provided.” They had repeated the same stance at the fifth round of Six-Party Talks, and the situation has now become rather complicated. Regarding the relationship with Japan, North Korea sticks to the attitude that "the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals has already been resolved.” On the other hand, they emphasize that the "settlement of the past" is the most important matter. The discussion between the governments after one year, therefore, did not show any concrete development. As for the domestic affairs, there was an improvement in the food rationing system, but there still are basic economic problems and loosening of social control, and the leadership is making every possible effort to strengthen its control.
China extended international diplomacy aimed at strengthening its influence, restraining a mono-polar world centered around the United States, and securing resources. As for its policy toward Japan, due to considerations of domestic security and containment of Japan, China took a negative stance towards the issues of Japan's entry as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and of Japan' s recognition of its past atrocities. As for its domestic policy, besides the rapid economic growth, many riots by the people occurred due to their dissatisfaction about the disparity in wealth, the disparity between cities and provinces, and leadership corruption, and the Hu Jintao administration is having difficulty in dealing with them.
Russia, based on its robust economic performance, tried to enhance its relationship with China and India as well as forging a cooperative relationship with developed countries including Japan but towards Japan showed an uncompromising attitude on the territorial issue.
Regarding Central Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which India, Pakistan, and Iran joined as observers to the four countries of Central Asia, China, and Russia, adopted a joint statement asking the U.S. to clarify the timeframe for the end of the presence of the U.S. military in the region, and showed a desire to restrain the influence of the U.S.
Regarding the Middle East, in Iraq, the Interim Government was established after the elections for a provisional national assembly, and a new Constitution also was adopted, so the process towards the establishment of a new administration has progressed. On the other hand, violent terrorist attacks by anti-U.S. militants continue, and they are big obstacles to the stability not only of Iraq but also of the entire Middle East. In Israel, in spite of the withdrawal from Gaza, there still remain various issues to be resolved to realize peace in the region.
Under the leadership of a group of several leaders called "seigoshis" that has continued since October 2003, the Aum Shinrikyo cult group has strengthened its training of members to implant "absolute faith in Asahara" through seminars and teaching circles, and thus clarified its training policy to put Asahara at the forefront. In addition, to expand and strengthen the organization, the cult came up with a "membership doubling plan" to recruit members and made efforts to raise funds for its activities and to secure base facilities. In the process, however, some members were arrested and indicted for violation of the Employment Security Law.
In light of the situation of the cult, the Public Security Intelligence Agency of Japan decided that the cult still had the risk to commit indiscriminate mass murder and that it was necessary to reveal the cult's activities, and requested from the Public Security Examination Commission the (second) extension of the surveillance on the cult on November 25.
The Japanese Communist Party, leftist radicals, and right-wing groups have expanded activities against various policies regarding the deployment of Self-Defense Forces in Iraq, North Korean issues, the relationship with China and Korea, restructuring of U.S. military bases, and changes in the Constitution. Among these, the Communist Party and leftist radicals organized protest activities nationwide on changes in the Constitution and the deployment of Self-Defense Forces in Iraq, and in addition, the organized protest activities regarding the relocation and restructuring of U.S. military bases in Okinawa in collaboration with anti-war citizen groups. On the other hand, right-wing groups continued seeking economic sanctions against North Korea in regard to the issue of abduction of Japanese nationals. In addition, on the occasions of anti-Japan demonstrations in and territorial issues with China and Korea, they organized protest activities against the countries' diplomatic missions in Japan. In one such case, a petrol bomb was thrown into the office of a Chinese bank, and in another, a rightist activist set himself on fire near the Chongryon headquarters. Right-wing organizations also show strong interest in the issue of allowing a female emperor.
(C)Copyright 1998-2006 Ministry of Justice.